E5: The Uncensored Story – Cunty, Smutty and Fabulous

In this juicy, joy-fueled episode, Emily Sin (Rebecca), Jayson, and Moth (co-host of Uncensored) sit down to spill the glittery tea on Glasgow’s hottest queer, kink and sex positive market: Uncensored.

We dive deep into how Uncensored was born — out of spite and a desire for raw, radical, community-led spaces that center queerness, pleasure, creativity, and unapologetic self-expression. From sold-out markets and euphoric launch parties to our core values of safety, consent, and play, we reflect on how far we've come and the community that’s made it possible.

We also chat about the Summer of Queer Love — a cheeky nod to the original ‘Summer of Love,’ and the rising tide of free love, bodily autonomy, and queer joy in a world that’s trying hard to silence us.

And because we can’t help ourselves, we’re teasing what’s next: think Uncensored Lounge, new market adventures, and… maybe some play parties and kinky life drawing sessions? 👀

If you’ve ever wanted a peek behind the curtain of the kinkiest, queerest, most love-soaked event in Glasgow, this one’s for you.

🖤 Stay sinful. Stay uncensored.

Check out Uncensored! https://linktr.ee/uncensoredmarket

Check out Moth to Flame Events! https://linktr.ee/mothtoflameevents

Transcript

Rebecca: 0:19

Today we've got a very special guest on the podcast, Moth of Moth to Flame Events and the other half of the Uncensored team.

Moth: 0:26

Hi everyone, I'm Moth, I run, as it was said, Moth to Flame Events, and thanks to Rebecca I also co-host Uncensored Market. And I'm

Jayson: 0:33

Jason, and I run our stall. at the Uncensored Market.

Rebecca: 0:39

And as Moth said, I'm the other co-host of the Uncensored Market. I thought today we could do a little episode on just Uncensored in general. How it started, how it's going and where it's headed in the future. So

Jayson: 0:50

the first bit that we would like to speak about is the birth of Uncensored, how it came to be in the first place.

Moth: 0:58

Many moons ago now, I was running a Halloween-themed market, as it's the best season of the year.

Rebecca: 1:04

Halloween Hold Down.

Moth: 1:05

Halloween Hold Down. Amazing name. I can't even take credit for it. I let it be a public poll, and that was the best suggestion by far. And Rebecca and Jason had applied with Sanctuary of Sin. And through some miscommunication with the venue, they weren't able to trade because it was an 18 plus stall. And so honestly, Uncensored was kind of born out of spite.

Rebecca: 1:25

Yeah, which is always the best thing. Which is how all good things are made. Yeah, definitely.

Moth: 1:30

And it just sort of warmed its way out from there. Meetings and coffees later sort of became the speakeasy market was how it began. Into a much catchier name, I would say, of the Uncensored market.

Rebecca: 1:43

Yeah. I think with everything that was going on, we were still just starting out our business and one of the main difficulties we had in the beginning was just how much censorship was going on on social media. And then because this, as you've said, kind of got born out of your market being censored, it just kind of fell into place. It made total sense to be... Kind of at the heart of what the plans were for it going forward.

Moth: 2:10

And also I felt pretty bad that I'd said, yeah, sure, come along. And then it was just not allowed.

Rebecca: 2:16

Yeah, totally out of your control.

Moth: 2:18

Yeah.

Rebecca: 2:20

It was only a couple of weeks before, wasn't it? They'd let it get so far

Moth: 2:23

into the process. Yeah, I think we were already into October. Yeah. And I was told it wasn't allowed. But then other things were happening with the market that just... went a bit downhill like our food truck never showed up so there was some real learning curves there so it has benefited the uncensored market

Rebecca: 2:42

yeah a lot of lessons learned

Moth: 2:43

yeah you gotta do it once at least to figure out the issues

Rebecca: 2:48

which is always handy between that and just you know a lot of people that we were speaking to there was just such like a kind of crackdown on not only like kind of sex positivity terms in the media but also on like queer spaces and queer terms like there is a bit of kind of an epidemic going on with that even now like it's recently there seems to have been like another kind of push for that I know a lot of people who are getting their accounts and stuff shut down and we wanted to create a space that you know people from these industries could come and just be themselves and be uncensored in an environment and yeah so one of the other things that we kind of had like quite a focus on was accessibility right from the beginning just because coming from kind of the different backgrounds that we did. Like I had been going to like a lot of kink events and stuff like that and there just wasn't really many just kink events in general or markets in Scotland that I was aware of that was fully accessible for people. So that was kind of one of the things that we wanted to make sure was a part of Uncensored right from the beginning as much as was physically possible. Glasgow being quite an old city and a lot of listed buildings.

Jayson: 4:04

This is something we've touched on already in previous episodes that just generally the buildings that these types of events have the opportunity to take place in do tend to be a bit more restricted with their accessibility.

Moth: 4:21

When we were first starting out the market, I was still using a walking stick full time. So not only was it necessity for guests, but even for me to be getting around, just having steps everywhere was just not going to work out.

Rebecca: 4:33

So this is kind of why we thought there needed to be something a bit different on the kind of queering kink scene in Glasgow, as well as For our business as well. Us having a selection of toys and gear that's curated rather than handmade meant that some of the existing craft markets and stuff in Scotland we weren't able to go to.

Jayson: 4:55

Yeah, a lot of them only catered to handmade items so we kind of slipped through the cracks a little bit with respect to that.

Rebecca: 5:04

What does uncensored mean to you? I

Moth: 5:08

think uncensored for me is... a totally safe space for so many different people not just people who are in the kink scene queer people but just anyone from beginners to folk that have been on the scene for probably longer than i've been alive as well as also being an event that i'd want to go to

Rebecca: 5:29

yeah i think this was like one of the main things was like we wanted to make it for us because we were kind of like you know for the community by the community yeah it needed to suit us to suit the community as well

Moth: 5:40

i also very selfishly pretty much refuse to run events that i wouldn't just want to attend as a guest so i'm still having fun while i'm there yeah totally

Rebecca: 5:48

i feel like that's the best way because you're just not going to put your all into something that you're not enjoying

Moth: 5:52

no which is why like things like drag shows make sense for me because i would have gone to it anyway it just so happens i'm running it instead

Rebecca: 5:59

it means you get to be there for free

Moth: 6:01

yeah i'm getting paid to be there

Rebecca: 6:03

yeah more to the point yeah

Jayson: 6:05

We're also in that boat as what we do is something that we would have wanted to make use of as customers. This

Rebecca: 6:14

has always been how we've made decisions as we are our ideal customer and I feel like that came across to Uncensored as well.

Moth: 6:22

Gives you a much better insight for what people want to see if you are the people that are wanting to see it.

Rebecca: 6:27

Totally. So Uncensored for me is people having the freedom to express who they are kind of break free from stigma and shame and the kind of taboos associated with the sex industry but also the queer community as well I feel like there's still a bit of lasting not obviously as much as there has in years past but I would say that over the last few years that is changing and things are kind of starting to feel a bit like the dark ages again it's important for people to be able to have a space where they can be themselves and be seen and be valued and be celebrated

Jayson: 7:02

Yeah, so for me, Uncensored, it goes beyond just being a place where you feel accepted, but it's a place where you feel embraced by the community. It's so close and community-spirited that it's hard not to just get wrapped up in it all and leave feeling just really nice.

Moth: 7:24

That's all you can really ask for when you're hosting it, is folk actually enjoying it from every aspect and... Feeling like the whole thing's just a natural community space.

Jayson: 7:34

Yeah, aye. Dunno, there's so many, there's so many kind of markets and stuff that you go to as a trader that turn up, do your thing and then leave. And there's not a lot, not as much kind of interaction with people in a meaningful way. Whereas I think at Uncensored, you feel very connected to the people. I've found you have some really good in-depth chats. People willing to ask questions, things that they don't know about and asking for advice and asking to be signposted to workshops and events and things like that because they're taking earlier steps into these spaces. Feeling comfortable enough in that space to... think about moving wider out afterwards. So do you want to tell us a bit about your core messaging and your safe space values?

Moth: 8:29

I think the main message that Uncensored has held since the start has been a sex-positive, sex-educational space. From the first market, we've had stalls for charities to come and speak to people free of charge. We just want to support people that can give a message into it. exploring sex in a way that is fun for everyone involved but also in a way that's as safe as can be whether that be through contraception or communication skills and things like that that's sort of been a ground rule message is you can have as much fun as you like but you need to do it in a safe and secure way

Rebecca: 9:08

yeah i think that was one of the main things like we we didn't want to come into the space and make something new in and of itself but kind of build up what was already there and support other people within the local community and kind of almost like bolster the community that existed already

Moth: 9:23

we're not trying to push anybody out but

Rebecca: 9:25

no

Moth: 9:26

build up everyone that's already there

Rebecca: 9:27

yeah because we all need to stick together like it's a space that is threatened you know and part of that is not not being in competition with each other but supporting each other and building on each other and creating something really special because of that

Jayson: 9:42

and i think as from the point of view of the community, the more events and the more things there are for them, the better. Rather than it being, oh, people competing with each other, let's just provide more stuff for the people that need it.

Rebecca: 9:59

Yeah, it creates more opportunities, it creates more options, it means that the community is going to grow and get bigger and that can only help everybody involved. Yeah. So we kind of touched on a little bit about as well that we are part of the community that we're serving and that we want to see it grow from not just like a business point of view but personally as well that we want to see there be more things in the community but even within that we can come from slightly different backgrounds and that myself and Jason can attend a lot more kink events and stuff whereas you're part of the queer community in a bigger way than I would say that we have been up until maybe recently where I feel like we're kind of branching out a wee bit we're still new so we will get there but I think that's been like really important and really good and that we've had such varied kind of experiences to kind of bring together to kind of build something that is serving kind of multiple communities at once and also people that kind of exist within all these communities at once because there's a massive crossover between all these spaces but it's not one that I think is necessarily kind of represented at the moment and at least in the market side of things in Scotland

Moth: 11:11

yeah the entire kink scene i was pretty much not in communication with at all before yeah so i was exclusively just doing pretty much queer events unintentionally that's just events i want to go to queer events therefore that's what i was doing yeah um so this has been an absolute eye-opener to so many different aspects of the kinkuni but also i'm fully aware that it's by no means an exclusive list there it goes so far beyond just what we're doing

Rebecca: 11:43

yeah definitely

Moth: 11:44

but it's been incredibly eye-opening and we've met some truly incredible folk like traders charities guests who just will support us to no end yeah and will come all our markets and all our launch nights and everything and there's just so many incredible folk

Rebecca: 11:59

yeah

Moth: 12:00

and it's been such a whirlwind ride that has really pushed what I thought events could be to a whole new level

Rebecca: 12:08

I think that's been quite key as well for us is that throughout all of this you know we always ask for feedback and the engagement we have had for the feedback has been amazing you know like I feel like when you put something like that out there you maybe expect like one or two people to fill in the form because it's not necessarily part of the experience it's not something everybody's going to want to do but my god like the amount of feedback that we've had and that has allowed us to be able to build on things and change things and adapt and kind of grow the event into something even more suited to the community it's serving has been like a big part of why I feel we've been as successful as we have is that we've listened

Moth: 12:50

yeah and I find with a lot of events you get feedback because people don't enjoy themselves yeah but I would say with Uncensored we've had nothing but positive things and then a little bit of constructive feedback yeah I've enjoyed everything but it would be nice if xyz

Rebecca: 13:07

it's been more suggestions rather

Moth: 13:09

than even criticism as such such just a sigh of relief people are not just sending you feedback and saying here this was the worst thing I've ever attended they're actually saying we had fun what we did and what we got to partake in was a great time hear something for the future and that's such a great way to work

Jayson: 13:27

I think just the levels of engagement you've had with the feedback process has kind of gives an indication of how much people have actually enjoyed it that they're willing to get in touch and tell you about it

Moth: 13:42

yeah folk want to see it grow rather than shit on it basically

Jayson: 13:46

yeah

Rebecca: 13:46

So another thing we can pride ourselves on is being a safe space. It's even part of our kind of tagline. I think because of that, that's part of why we've amassed such a supportive community. I think it's been a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy in that, you know, if you market things in such a way, and have the policies and procedures to match, obviously, but I feel like that's not necessarily what people are seeing. Like, it does just attract the right kind of people when you are kind of making it obvious that people that are going to come and cause trouble are... there's going to be consequences to that. Yeah, prioritising consent and respect with clear rules, guidance and policies has kind of backed up what we're saying on that front. And I think we've been quite lucky in that we've not really had much to deal with.

Moth: 14:31

So I think us being very open and for about who we are as individuals, not just the mystery faces behind Uncensored, has kind of projected what we'd want to see. So obviously in recent times, trans rights are under threat. And since day one, we've always had just unlabeled bathrooms for folks to come into. It's been no stress about what names people put on their tickets or what they use to sign up to workshops. It's creating something that we're proud to have our faces and our names to and our businesses associated with.

Rebecca: 15:06

I think that paired with the fact that we've not really shied away from being political and the kind of stuff that we've put out there. We've always been very supportive of... like the Free Palestine movement, the decriminalisation of sex work as well as trans rights. It's something that we've been very vocal about and very much put to our name. I feel like that's potentially been part of what has meant people that don't hold their values don't want to be there. yeah

Jayson: 15:39

it's kind of like a bit of a screening process yeah that's exactly what i was thinking so open about your views and things that you hold quite important and make that part of the the kind of messaging of the event and stuff as well um it's automatically putting off people who don't align with that um

Moth: 16:01

yeah and i think if you've looked at our instagram and all the absolute radical stuff we're putting on our story it's absolutely not going to attract the wrong person yeah things like abortion rights and no pride in genocide which we've put on censored with uh the cabaret against hate for all their trans rights stuff and just everything they're involved with we've been so vocal about supporting these movements that there is no way someone's going to accidentally stumble upon us and think we're any thought very left-wing individuals yeah

Rebecca: 16:32

Aye, both of us have attended protests with Uncensored as well, and yeah, I think you kind of look at your page and know, and be a fascist and want to come along. Yeah, it's just not going to work. Yeah, you're outnumbered. Yeah, sniff you out as soon as you walk in the door. Aye, I think that's one of the most affirming things for me is, you know, at the markets, like looking around and... seeing people just fully embracing and being themselves and the amount of like pups we have and furries and people that tend to maybe get like some hate and stuff in public just walking around and just being totally free and being comfortable it's yeah it's lovely to see and i feel like that to me shows that we are a safe space and that people are feeling totally safe in that space

Moth: 17:24

yeah it's honestly a little bit of an ego boost which is horrible but seeing folk living so authentically which I think for a lot of people including myself can take so long to get to that point yeah and if even for one day in the summer we've created somewhere for people to just come and be them it's so fun and so nice to see

Rebecca: 17:42

it's beautiful it really is

Jayson: 17:44

There was a particular example of this that stood out to me. There was one person that turned up and kind of pulled me to the side because they were there a wee bit early and they just had some questions because they weren't out to their family or their job and things like that where they were fearful of what might happen if... they got outed yeah and they've had bad experiences at some events before you know pictures getting taken without their consent and things like that and you know after having a wee chat they were feeling a lot better and then they stuck about the entire day and they just kept coming by to tell me how great a time they were having and that they felt so comfortable and that that was just so nice to see that's a

Moth: 18:30

real win to be honest because we've got the little social area And it is open all day. Yeah. So if folk think, this is the place I want to hang about all day, that's more than okay. Whether they buy anything or not, whether they just sit and have a drink or they're just watching the shows, it's somewhere for them to be safe and welcome and happy. And we're always about having a chat to anyone that will listen, so it keeps people occupied,

Jayson: 18:56

I would say. It's a lovely wee break for the outside world and the adjustments you need to maybe make to yourself to... make life easy day to day.

Rebecca: 19:06

I feel like it's stories like that that make it all worth it. Do you know, even if we had just one of them and we've got several at this point for different places and like, I don't know, it brings a wee tear to my eye every time because it's just, it makes it all worth it. We're doing what we set out to do.

Moth: 19:19

Yeah, and it's having a genuine positive impact on people's lives. Even if it is just one day, it's a day that has let them be free in themselves.

Rebecca: 19:27

Yeah.

Jayson: 19:27

Do you want to tell us a little bit about what your milestones or highlights have been so far?

Rebecca: 19:32

Yeah, so with two markets and two launch parties under our belt, we're proud of what we've managed to achieve in our first year. Shout out to Makaku for the banging food we had at the Uncensored Birthday Party because that was amazing.

Moth: 19:44

It was almost inspiring. Yeah. Made it all worth it just

Rebecca: 19:48

for that. I feel like it's been a big year. It's been... Like, I feel like when we started, those weren't necessarily where I seen us being at the end of our first year.

Moth: 19:58

No, I was so unsure of where, just uncensored as a brand was going to end up, that the first market was so incredible. Yeah. I was like, it could be anything. Yeah. The very tired, slightly sweaty subway ride home was... just like on almost a daze just thinking we've done something that's been actually meaningful yeah through the means of a market we've had little workshops and stuff and it's just gone so well i couldn't believe it

Jayson: 20:25

yeah that feeling kind of lasted for a good wee while after it as well it was just like that was that was really cool

Moth: 20:33

yeah like it was so different to anything i'd done before like yeah it was a market but That's not just any market you stumble into, is it? Yeah.

Rebecca: 20:43

Even the first one felt so much more than that. Yeah. I've got a little bit of feedback from one of our guests that attended. Okay. So they've said, Thank you for running an event like this. I've previously been to a different market like this and found it to be very cis-centred. It did not feel very safe and did not have many queer items. This just felt like such a nice atmosphere.

Moth: 21:06

Having so many queer traders, I think, has absolutely put a stamp on... Yeah. We're all very openly queer people anyway, so why wouldn't we have possibly a majority of queer traders selling their very queer stuff?

Jayson: 21:20

Having that representation there in the traders is another one of the... things that helps to make the customers feel more able to be themselves. Just being in that environment and being surrounded by my people.

Moth: 21:34

Yeah, seeing yourself in the folk that are selling

Jayson: 21:37

stuff.

Rebecca: 21:38

I find that true. A lot of the kink events that we've been to, there's been quite... I've always compared it to traditional and new school, but I feel like the way that person's worded that probably is closer to the truth in that the old school is more like cishet. And then the new school is this wonderful mixture of queer and gender non-conforming and poly. I feel like people are just generally a lot more open and a lot less restricted to traditional roles, whether that be in kink, sexuality, gender. And it's not to say that's necessarily a negative thing, but I feel like there needed to be this space that was more, as I would call it, new school in its approach to like kink in general because there is such a crossover between these communities and a way that if you go to certain events you could you couldn't decide what one it was do you know what i mean there is it is one community in a sense so we've got another bit of feedback from the most recent market that we did at christmas i loved the safe space the team had created this was our first alt lifestyle market and event and it was a warm and friendly environment The layout was easy to navigate and was well lit and organised. The workshop space had easy accessibility. We felt safe as a queer couple newly integrating into the community. That's

Moth: 23:00

really

Rebecca: 23:00

lovely. Yeah. It was so nice looking over, because I feel like we got the feedback, we looked at it, we picked out what we needed to from it, and then I hadn't looked at it again until recently, and rereading over some of the responses that we have, I'd picked out ones that were a bit longer and kind of spoke a wee bit more about the vibe and like kind of going on the back of what what we were going to be speaking about but we just had such lovely feedback from so many people for so many different reasons and it was oh it just i don't know it was so validating all over again yeah i need to go back and read that like every so often because it just put me in a good mood all day

Moth: 23:39

especially when it's coming from folk who it's like their first event it's probably fairly new to the scene in general

Rebecca: 23:45

yeah

Moth: 23:45

that we've created somewhere that's welcoming for that and it's not someone that you need to know somebody to get in or you need to have more of an idea for even being able to look at some of the stuff on offer

Rebecca: 23:56

yeah

Moth: 23:56

it was just a place that anyone can ease into and get a feel for things and if you want to leave and come back you can do that but it sounds like they just had a blast anyway

Rebecca: 24:07

yeah we've got our quiet area where if things maybe do get a bit much people can go and sit for a bit and chill out and come back and Yeah, I feel like we've kind of built in a lot of spaces and opportunities for people to spend the full day there

Moth: 24:22

if that's what they want. And the quiet area was thanks to feedback.

Rebecca: 24:25

Exactly.

Moth: 24:25

Something we hadn't even considered for the first market and someone suggested it and that's all it takes is people telling us what they want to see and we, as best we can, will try to make it happen.

Rebecca: 24:34

Yeah, totally. So speaking about our launch party, our first launch party... We did it as more as kind of a networking event for traders. It went really well, but we felt it was important to kind of open up the space to future attendees as well, kind of setting the scene for the upcoming Summer of Queer Love. The launch of Uncensored Scotland and our plans for many upcoming cunty, smutty and fabulous events.

Moth: 24:59

I mean, it's definitely just continuing exactly the vibes we've had from day one, really. Cunty, smutty and fun, really, has been everything.

Rebecca: 25:06

Yeah, definitely. yeah i think like the markets have been such a big success that we kind of wanted to keep it going and kind of come up with again things that the community wants and that we've kind of asked for lots of feedback on and yeah see where we go in the future

Moth: 25:22

yeah and i think the launch night our most recent one was such a lovely time yeah it wasn't crazy busy folk were playing games the games went

Rebecca: 25:33

down well

Moth: 25:33

yeah

Rebecca: 25:34

definitely do more of them at the next one

Moth: 25:36

our lovely sponsors Luke and Jack came along and represented themselves and were just equally enjoying seeing us doing more than just the market that they support. Yeah.

Jayson: 25:48

It was really nice at the launch party to see the different friend groups and things were all mixing in together and getting stuck into games together as one big group. I think so often when you're at events it's so easy for people to just stay in the wee group that they came along in and only talk to the people that they already know or are already friends with to see people mixing with new people and just getting really stuck in I think says a lot for the atmosphere that was created at the event.

Rebecca: 26:22

And the party kept going. Do you know there were still people?

Jayson: 26:24

Yeah, by the time we had to leave, things were

Rebecca: 26:26

kicking off. There must have still been about 20 people all sitting around the table playing Never Have I Ever, which was one of the games that we put out. And they were gutted because they'd run out of cards. We'd done a lot.

Moth: 26:38

Yeah, I was cutting things out for days.

Rebecca: 26:42

The printer was having...

Moth: 26:44

It was having a meltdown, to be honest.

Rebecca: 26:47

Yeah. We still have them, don't we?

Moth: 26:49

Yes, I made sure to keep some. I mean, we should probably get feedback on what other questions people are wanting. What are people comfortable answering in front of a group of strangers?

Rebecca: 27:00

I love Drew. Drew was just going for it.

Moth: 27:02

Oh, he's so much fun when he starts playing these games.

Rebecca: 27:06

Every story, people are like, what? you need to give us the backstory on that one yeah it's great speaking of drew we've actually got a little quote from the feedback that the luke and jack team left us for during the summer market staff team on this occasion steph cam and drew which is how we knew it was from them felt energized being able to chat with interesting diverse and supportive people both traders and customers alike It may sometimes seem from the outside that we are seasoned retailers after nearly 15 years, but imposter syndrome, worrying if we are getting it right and sometimes being on seven days a week in this community while defending our community from seemingly continuous attack can leave our batteries running low. It was wonderful having a sex-positive, relaxed chat with so many people while finding a new audience and some lovely, familiar faces. Exciting way to meet lots of makers and other traders too. Some healthy business ethical collaborations ahead.

Moth: 28:08

And that's exactly what it's been.

Rebecca: 28:09

Yeah.

Moth: 28:10

The whole Luke and Jack team have been so supportive of everything we've done. They're always reaching out. They're just willing to hear us out and not just financially, but morally support us in markets at the launch night. Just in, you know, offering their space up to us and being that sort of shoulder, you know, and say, Here's an idea we have. What can we do with that? And it works the same way.

Rebecca: 28:34

Yeah, totally. It's been nice. Again, it's been really affirming having people who are so well-known in the community back us and want to get involved and be as supportive as they have been of us. Yeah, it's been lovely. In every form that we've had from both traders and attendees across both markets, every single person felt safe and uncensored.

Moth: 28:59

Which

Rebecca: 28:59

is an achievement in and of itself.

Moth: 29:01

There's not much more you can ask for. When you tag yourself as a safe and sexy market, if safe's the main one that people are feeling, we've succeeded.

Rebecca: 29:10

Yeah.

Moth: 29:10

100%. I hope

Rebecca: 29:11

people are feeling sexy. I certainly was. We should put that on the feedback form.

Moth: 29:15

How safe were you? How sexy were you? Not just how you were feeling, just in general.

Rebecca: 29:21

Yeah.

Jayson: 29:22

can you tell me a bit about the summer of queer love

Rebecca: 29:26

so that is our theme for the launch party that we had for uncensored scotland and also our upcoming market i just love the 60s that's

Moth: 29:37

a good enough reason if any decided ahead of time and then so many other things have come out where it was like we do need somewhere to be openly queer without any restrictions totally

Rebecca: 29:48

And we had done a podcast episode a couple of weeks ago. We were looking at the sexual revolution in the 60s. And I don't know how I've made it to this age without realising this. And this is maybe going to be really obvious to some people. But I was still very much bought into the kind of free love propaganda. And that it was just about people going about shagging everybody. And it was just about being promiscuous. Not the kind of... The fact that that... was how it was portrayed in the media to kind of cover up the fact that it was actually a political statement and that what people meant by free love was being able to love free of the law, free of the institution of marriage, free of religion, that people should be able to have the freedom to love whoever they want and love in the way that they want without basically the government being involved in any way or the church being involved in any way. And I feel... Learning that recently has just made me feel like we have picked such a good fucking theme

Moth: 30:52

for this year. The theme has worked out in a way, especially with the government deciding to reintroduce themselves a bit more into how people are living their lives. With the recent Supreme Court ruling saying what a man and a woman is, as far-fetched as their ideas may be, it's come into effect and it's pissed a lot of people off, rightly so. And I think having the summer of queer love opens it up to every queer person, whether they've been affected by this directly or not. We're all in the same boat. We're also allowed to love who we love, be who we want. And especially for the uncensored market. We're already there doing that, so why not just make it a bit more of a theme? Yeah. It's more prevalent at the minute than it has been for a while.

Rebecca: 31:38

Yeah, definitely. This summer needs to be one of celebration, you know, and protesting celebration is what Pride's always been about. And I think with everything that's going on just now, it's more important than ever.

Moth: 31:50

Yeah, I think it's really important to lay the foundations for creating that community in itself of queer people coming together, being able to live freely and openly. Whether you're forced to use a certain bathroom or not, it doesn't make a difference. It's all a safe space for people to be themselves, which can be so tricky right now.

Rebecca: 32:13

Definitely.

Jayson: 32:13

Having a gathering of people like this is almost like a show of force that we're all standing together and we're not happy about this shit, but we are going to get together and we are going to have fun together. and kill you with kindness.

Moth: 32:31

Yeah, like a fuck you to the people that are making all these decisions. I

Rebecca: 32:38

feel like when your very existence is political, you kind of have to just have fun with it or it would get too much and it's quite easy to kind of get bogged down when there's so much negativity going on both in politics and just on the news every day as it is. I think it's important to take that time to celebrate what it is that you're fighting for. Otherwise, what's the point?

Moth: 33:02

You've been keen to notice recently that even when I've been going out of the house for our meetings, that I've just been on edge because I'm so worried about the climate we're in as a trans person and the shit you're going to face. And to be fair, I've only faced one extra bit of hate crime since the ruling came out, which is manageable. But it's knowing that a market like this is coming up and it's an event where I'm safe with the other people I run it with.

Rebecca: 33:29

As

Moth: 33:29

well as every guest that comes through the doors is not going to give a shit about how I identify and who I love and what my pronouns are. It's just all going to be respected and people are happy for you just to be sharing a nice space.

Rebecca: 33:43

It's just a day off from the heat.

Moth: 33:45

Yeah, it's a place where I can be loved and give love to the people that are coming in and supporting what we do. It's like a wee glimpse as to what the future Could be. Yeah. What an ideal life could be right now.

Rebecca: 33:59

Why is it not just like that?

Moth: 34:01

Because we're not in the government.

Rebecca: 34:03

Why is the government the government? I'm so shit.

Moth: 34:08

So what's coming next? Immediately next, very soon, is the third uncensored market. Yeah, it'll

Rebecca: 34:15

be next Saturday.

Moth: 34:16

Yeah, which is crazy to say that we've come to the third one already. And then what... three weeks after that almost is the Uncensored Lounge which is brand spanking new

Rebecca: 34:28

so for the Uncensored Market we've got some new performers that we haven't had before we're still going to have the social area as big as it was before we have also got the balcony upstairs for people to go and watch that we did have the last time but I think we're going to advertise that a bit more this time just because it's looking likely to be a little bit busier Yes. Than our last one. Just with how ticket sales and stuff are going so far. We've also got three workshops on this time, so we've got... Everything's just a wee bit bigger than it was before.

Moth: 35:03

Yes. And it feels a lot grander as

Rebecca: 35:06

well. Yeah. We've got more entertainers, more workshops, some more traders than we did at the last one.

Moth: 35:12

And a lot of new traders. A lot of new traders. Which was again thanks to some feedback.

Rebecca: 35:19

Yeah. Really wanting to keep things mixed up for people. And then obviously the theme that will probably stick with going forward because that's been a lot of fun.

Moth: 35:27

I'm hoping to see some spectacular outfits with different themes that we come up

Jayson: 35:33

with. There seems to be quite a large amount of engagement with the people dressing in an interesting manner to fit the theme

Moth: 35:43

more. It's definitely something that I'm here for. Although any outfit I wear will Be a baseline of dungarees. I've

Rebecca: 35:53

ordered my uncensored outfit the other day. I'm going with Daphne.

Moth: 35:58

Stunning choice.

Rebecca: 36:01

Not going to be ginger because I'm a fuck wearing a wig all day. That will drive me insane.

Moth: 36:05

Especially midsummer.

Rebecca: 36:06

But I'm going to be a black curly haired Daphne. I think it'll work. We'll be fine. I think it's a good choice. We definitely should do a competition or something at some point in the future.

Moth: 36:18

Listen, you should be leaving some feedback.

Rebecca: 36:19

Yeah. Anonymous feedback with all my ideas I want to do.

Jayson: 36:26

I think that's just called a business meeting. Yeah. I think that sounds like a coffee. Yeah, it does.

Rebecca: 36:33

Yeah, and then we've got, as Miles had said, the Uncensored Lounge coming up on the 20th of June. Still got tickets available for that if anybody wants to come along. Where we're doing like a variety show.

Moth: 36:44

Yeah, sort of like a cabaret night hosted by Giza Gobble, who I work with regularly at the Paisley Drag Show.

Rebecca: 36:51

Giza's hysterical.

Jayson: 36:52

Absolutely phenomenal

Rebecca: 36:54

performer.

Moth: 36:55

And joining her we have Mellon and Andrea and Scout Robertson.

Rebecca: 37:00

Yeah.

Moth: 37:00

Which is going to be a very fun, chill night again at the QMU, so it's accessible for everyone.

Rebecca: 37:06

Yep.

Moth: 37:07

and also we've got a lovely relationship with that venue now so it makes sense using them more and more

Rebecca: 37:12

so I've seen Melon perform at Hell she's amazing and seen Scout Robertson at one of the drag shows before as well they absolutely cracked me up that was the one we took your mum

Moth: 37:25

for the first time what a show to come to what an introduction

Rebecca: 37:31

I think a bit of an eye opener for her so we got some feedback at our last launch party with kind of events and ideas that people wanted to see coming up so we've got some things in the pipeline that we will be announcing very soon once things are confirmed just to kind of continue on the summery queer love

Moth: 37:51

yeah and people are keen to have more community focused events yeah which is exactly what we do anyway so why not keep it going

Jayson: 37:58

can you tell me about some of the challenges and lessons that you've taken away from what you've been

Moth: 38:04

doing so far I think mostly challenges we faced were at the very beginning. So even getting uncensored into what it is was finding a venue which was willing to take on a kink-themed market and was accessible. The accessible part was such a nightmare trying to find something. Glasgow Centre is not the place

Rebecca: 38:27

for it. Going into this, I was fully expecting the kink side of things to be the hurdle, but No, it was most definitely the accessibility part.

Moth: 38:36

Yeah, so QMU's great. They've got a ramp up to the front door. They've got a portable ramp up to the social area. There's lifts. There's accessible bathrooms. Only thing is the bar doesn't have a lowered section. Yeah. But they've also got an incredible team of staff who are willing to accommodate whatever needs are. So that was the main challenge. And from then, any... hiccups like maybe folk dropping out last minute yeah we always have a backup list going so challenges we're kind of just finding a decent venue and then we've really lucked out with where we go

Rebecca: 39:14

i think like the biggest thing with any of this stuff is like the organizational side of it and you are amazing you are so

Moth: 39:21

good at it that's like four years of study in events management you learn to do a spreadsheet yeah you're an excel wizard yeah you should see me

Rebecca: 39:30

that like we just haven't really had any hiccups with us say the things at all so pat on the back for you thank you

Moth: 39:38

i'm way too like i enjoy doing events management way too much for almost being over organized to be an issue yeah i'm happy to have 10 different spreadsheets of folks details and have waiting lists made up and table plans made the day after we'd announced who was coming and everything like that sorted months in

Rebecca: 39:58

advance

Moth: 39:58

yeah

Rebecca: 39:59

I think as well, the two is coming from the backgrounds we do. We obviously, me and Jason, go to lots of other markets and see what works well, see what doesn't work so well, see potential hiccups that are going to happen in other places. Whereas you yourself have run events, you have that background, you have that experience there. So I think bringing the two of those things together has just kind of saved us in a way that we're kind of one step ahead a lot of the time

Moth: 40:25

yeah it's one thing seeing the hiccups as they're happening and it's another thing being part of the hiccup happening so it's a real learning curve from past events but folk a lot of the time because of so many queer events that I run is they'll just tell you they'll say if something's not what they wanted some people say it nicer than others but you learn from these things and that's that's how you get better at what you do

Rebecca: 40:51

yeah i think that as well you know we've kind of touched on that we've had a lot of feedback and stuff but i think that's been part of what has made things so successful and made it so that we've not really had too many hiccups to deal with is that we've kind of just dealt with things as we've went and we've added stuff and we've took stuff away based on what people have said to us and not really kind of let it build to the point where it is a problem we've just kind of dealt with it when it's been at the kind of starting stages as such

Moth: 41:18

the only minor challenge we had from the first market that i can remember was that the gender neutral bathroom had flooded and we couldn't use it yeah so the staff just made us up some signs that degendered the bathrooms that were usable and that was easy as yeah yeah

Rebecca: 41:33

just fixed i think this is one of the big ones as well as like having a good venue and having good staff and like having a good relationship with them that you can kind of trust that you know they're on hand if there is anything that's kind of out with your control that can just

Moth: 41:46

yeah the venue and their team can really make or break events yeah and the QMU team are so lovely and will give us the time of day and just really make things happen regardless of what we have ideas for like the social area was the venues idea yeah they said this is that you've got some spare space here why not put some beer tables and then it's one of our main selling points is that folk can hang about all day

Rebecca: 42:11

yeah i'd say the same for the launch event you know working with callum who owns the corset club like couldn't have made it easier

Moth: 42:19

that was a five minute meeting yeah i couldn't believe it it was so easy it

Rebecca: 42:23

was just so simple and so easy and he even he said he sells like things don't need to be complicated they can just be simple And they were. And there were some hiccups on the night. That was maybe one of the only things just way, you know, there was like a lot of people who were ignoring the five private party signs and

Moth: 42:40

decided to come in. Yeah, just walking in. But he dealt with that and he had fun with it. Yeah. Which I feel can really change the vibe of things.

Rebecca: 42:47

Definitely.

Moth: 42:48

If the people running the venue and working your event enjoy what they're doing and enjoy your event.

Rebecca: 42:54

It shines

Moth: 42:54

through. Yeah, it's going to be incredible. And that's how it's worked so far for us. Yeah. almost lucky in a sense, but also thanks to us actually putting the legwork in to find good venues.

Rebecca: 43:05

Having good relationships with the people that run them does make a massive difference.

Moth: 43:09

And especially recently, both QMU and the Corset Club, who we've now both worked with, have put out statements in support of trans rights, which we couldn't be happier with. Because the QMU said recently about people can use whatever bathroom they're comfortable with. And now, coming into host, the Summer of Queer Love Uncensored Market is such relief that they're just going to be so supportive of us and every guest that walks in the door. The opposite of a challenge is we found somewhere that's going to fix any issue we ever

Rebecca: 43:39

had. I think taking the six months at the beginning to find somewhere that was going to suit us has made all the difference.

Moth: 43:46

It felt horrific at the time but it was absolutely worth it.

Rebecca: 43:50

Because we just wanted to get started.

Jayson: 43:53

But that wee bit of extra prep work we've done has really set you up going forward for a long and healthy relationship with these venues.

Rebecca: 44:04

I definitely don't see us leaving there anytime soon.

Moth: 44:07

Not unless we outgrow it.

Rebecca: 44:08

I think we just stay two days though. Yeah, that's fine. You can pick me up. We'll just sleep in the car. No. Cool, well I think that's bringing us to the end of today's podcast. Just kind of the plugs to go really. If you don't follow Uncensored Market or Uncensored Scotland on social media, check out our link tree at linktree.com and you can get all our socials there on whatever platforms you use. We also have a newsletter for people to keep up to date with upcoming events, news and also paid opportunities for traders, performers. We're looking to do a variety of different events over the next wee while so definitely worth signing up to that and potentially getting some opportunities over the next wee while.

Jayson: 44:59

And Mark, how can people

Moth: 45:00

get in

Jayson: 45:01

touch with you?

Moth: 45:02

Most folk just find me wandering about Paisley, so that's always easiest. But Moth to Flame events on most things, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, I think maybe as well. Don't know when I last used that. But also just regular events around Paisley. We've got one a week going on in Paisley at the minute. So come and find me, have a chat. let's run an event together

Rebecca: 45:26

as i've said next saturday is our next uncensored market and i believe there's still a couple of workshop tickets left but it's like the last one

Moth: 45:35

yeah last one or two for each workshop and quiet hours getting quite full as well

Rebecca: 45:41

yeah so if you haven't already and you're wanting to get in for either the workshops or the quiet hour grab a ticket now or if you just want to come along grab a ticket for the rest of the day. We've also got plenty of tickets left for the Uncensored Lounge coming up on the 20th of June. Again, Giza Gobble is going to be hosting and we've got some fabulous acts that will be performing. Definitely going to be a fun night.

Moth: 46:03

Yes, I'm very excited to, again, be working an event that I would attend anyway. Yeah, I'm so

Rebecca: 46:08

excited to see it. I'm going to really be quite distracted the full night, but I'll try not to. Get the best seat in the house.

Moth: 46:20

Thank you very much for having me on. It's been lovely. Thanks for joining us.

Rebecca: 46:24

This has been our Uncensored episode. Thanks for listening, guys.